Early R.O.C. Wood-fired Chin Shui Ni "Lian Zi", 120cc

Description: A similar piece, sold last year, had a very worn out bottom seal that was impossible to tell. It's interesting to find this piece from our collection that has a more recognizable bottom - and it's a rare Python seal!

One of my very treasured Early R.O.C. piece - not because of its dollar-value, but it has so much "patina" characters on it. While zhu ni is always treasured and expensive, this kind of humble and true "plebian" piece captures a totally different aspect of Chinese ancestors' living with tea and yixings.

The warmth and creaminess of the clay are simply fabulous. The shape is of the Lian Zi (Lotus Seed) style that was popular in the late Qing to Early R.O.C. period. While the surface burnishing work was nciely done, the inside shows evidences of "plebian" - but the traces of genuinely hand-work can be found in multiple places, easily.

An amazing little piece for tastefully done gong-fu for aged oolongs or pu-erhs.